Abrading apparatus



Nov. 28, 1933. P. s. LEGGE ABRADING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 24. 1930 fal en/Z03: fete? 181 L egge,

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Nov. 28, 1933. 'P. s. LEGGE ABRADING APPARATUS s sheets-sheet :5

Filed Sept. 24, 1930 PeZewwSiL bygf flnd W e VM flags.

Patented Nov. 28, 1933 ABRADING APPARATUS.

Peter S. Legge, Long Island City, N. Y.

Application September 24, 1930 Serial No. 484,118

26 Claims. (c1. 51-185) My invention relates to polishing and abrading apparatus, particularly but not exclusively for finishing stone columns, urns, balustrades, mouldings, and like articles having adjoining distinct surfaces or surfaces of revolution with profiles of varying diameters.

The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings of an embodiment of the inventionselected for illustrative purposes, while the scope of the invention will be more 3 particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Heretofore, the articles above mentioned, have been finished and polished, after the turning operation, for the most part by hand. The present invention aims to finish and polish the articles with relatively great rapidity effecting a corresponding saving in cost of the operation;

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, with parts omitted, showing abrading means constructed according to the invention applied to an urn;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a detail of one form of means for securing the abrading blocks to each other in assembled relation;

Fig. 4 is a more or less schematic view showing the arrangement of the abrading blocks according to the apparatus illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2; and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are respectively sections on the lines 55, 66 and 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the urn illustrated, showing an example of an article to be finished and polished according to the present invention, comprises a curved body portion 1, a shoulder portion having the annular cylindrical surface 3 and transverse plane surface 5, a fillet '7 and an adjacent annular cylindrical surface 9, a base comprising a fillet 11 and an annular cylindrical surface 13 and a curved neck portion 15 connecting the cylindrical surfaces9 and 13. In practice the urn will be turned in a lathe, leaving at opposite ends thereof projecting cylindrical portions 17 and 19 which may be utilized for mounting and rotating the urn during the subsequent finishing and polishing operation employing the apparatus according to the present invention.

As illustrated, the urn during the polishing operation has applied thereto a mat formed of abrading elements generally indicated by the ref erence character 21 gFig. 3), these abrading elements conveniently being formed of cast iron plates having faces for conforming to the surfaces of the um and being held in spaced staggered assembled relation by suitable flexible securing means, the latter, for example, those illustrated in Fig. 3, which shows short chainlike members 23 secured to the abrading blocks by screws 25. At the end portions of the mat a single chain member 23 is employed as illustrat- -'ed at the left hand side of Fig. 3, while at intermediate portions of the mat the chain-like members are arranged triangular fashion as illustrated by such figure.

The arrangement of abrading blocks with the urn shown by Figs. 1 and 2 is schematically illustrated by Figs. 4, 5, 6 and "7. Referring to these figures and to Figs. 1' and 2, it will be observed that blocks 27 are provided which have surfaces acting upon both the cylindrical surface 3 and plane 9 surface 5, other blocks 29 being provided which act upon only the surface 5,

while other blocks 31 are provided which act upon both the cylindrical surface 3 and the adjacent portion of the surface 1. Over the remainder of the surface 1 are distributed blocks 33 in spaced staggered relation, the contacting surfaces of said blocksagainst the urn being shown in section at the profile of the urn in Figs. 1 and 4, but in Fig. 3 for convenience of illustration only the contacting surfaces of said blocks with the urn being indicated for the row of blocks adjacent the axial plane of said urn. It will be observed from Fig. 5 that on the annular surface 5 the blocks 27 and 29 are arranged alternately, and that on the surface 3 the blocks 27 and 31 are arranged alternately, while on the adjacent portion of the surface 1 the blocks 33 are arranged alternately with the blocks 31. It will thus be observed that for abrading the distinct surfaces 1, 3 and 5 the blocks are formed and arranged to have certain blocks act on two adjacent surfaces, while other adjacent blocks act on but one of .these surfaces. This arrangement causes the surfaces of the urn to be abraded uniformly.

.The above described arrangement of blocks is maintained for the other surfaces 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15, blocks 35 being provided for acting upon adjacent portions of the surfaces 1 and 7, and other blocks 37 for acting upon adjacent portions of the surfaces? and 9,"the blocks 35 being arranged alternately with the blocks 33, and the blocks 37 being arranged alternately with blocks 39, which latter act upon the adjacent portions of the surfaces 9 and 15. :Ihe portions of the blocks 39 acting upon the surface 15 are arranged ,alternately with blocks 41, the latter acting only on thesurfaces 15. In the same way blocks 43 are provided which act upon the adjacent portions of the surfaces 13 and 15, these being arranged alternately with blocks 45 which act only upon thesurface 15; and similarly blocks 47 are provided which act upon the adjacent portions of the surfaces 11 and 13', those portions of the latter blocks which act upon the surface 13 being arranged alternately with the blocks 43, and those portions thereof which act upon the surface 11 being arranged alternately with blocks 49, the latter acting only upon the surface 11.

Conveniently the blocks may be made from patterns formed by taking plaster casts of the surface of an urn of the desired size, which impressions, if made over extensive surfaces of the urn, may be divided to suit the sizes of the blocks desired. Iron castings constituting the blocks may then be made from these casts.

In practice, the urn U being finished and polished may be surrounded by a box 51, which box as illustrated is of octagonal shape with one of the faces of the octagon omitted. As shown, the face 53 of the box is hinged to the remainder of the box as indicated at 55, and the faces 57 and 59 as a unit are hinged to the remainder of the box as indicated at 61, so that the box may be opened to permit it to be placed about the urn.

Herein, the lower portion of the; box is provided with projecting ends 63 which may be secured to suitable supports 65, for preventing rotation of the box when the urn is rotated.

As best shown by Fig. 2, the mat formed of the abrading blocks generally indicated by thereference character 21 extends partially around the urn through such angular distance at all portions thereof as are practically coextensive with the walls of the box. As illustrated, the edges of those blocks which constitute the longitudinal edges of the mat with respect to the urn are provided with perforated lugs 66, Figs. 2 and 3, which lugs when the mat is applied to. the urn are secured to the edges of the box 51 by wires 67 fastened to studs 68 carried by the box. Between the mat and the walls of the box may be placed rubber bags 69, the latter provided with.

nipples 71 for attachment to air hoses 73 which lead to a manifold 75 provided with a pressure gauge 79, the manifold being connected by a pipe 81 to any suitable source-of compressed air. In the pipe 81 is shown a stop-and-waste cook 83 which may be used to admit and exhaust air to and from the bags for expanding them under predetermined pressure for pressing the abrading mat against the surface of the urn. As shown, a strip 85 of canvas or like material is placed between the mat and bags for protecting the latter, the edge portions of said strip, as shown by Fig. 2, being brought through the opening of the box and nailed or otherwise secured.thereto as indicated at 8'7. A strip 89 of burlap may be placed between the strip 85 and the bags-for further'protecting the latter, while a second strip 91 may be placed on the outer surface of the bag for protecting the surface thereof which contacts the box.

Conveniently, as illustrated by Fig..1, the inside walls 51 of the box maybe provided with blocks 93 so as to cause the box to form an abutment surface spaced from the surface of the urn roughly parallel thereto.

In practice, during the abrading operation,-

abrasive and water may be fed through the open side of the box in which'said abrasive and water will be distributed circumferentially of the urn through the spaces between the blocks of which the mat is formed. Any abrasive and water which escape from the ends of the box, which escape is minimized by the end pieces 95 of the box, will strike a batter board 9'7 and collect in a tray 99 beneath the box, from which tray the abrasive may be again shoveled into the box.

Commonly, the abrasive employed at the first part of the operation will be chilled iron shot and water, after which the box may be opened and the parts cleaned and carborundum of progres-' sively increasing fineness be employed for abrasive. The final operation may be performed by opening the box, and, after cleaning the parts, placing a sheet of felt between the blocks and the stone, using so-called polishing, putty as an abrasive, and where desired a high polish may be given by inserting a layer of silk between the mat and felt. If desired, the mat may be removed whenthe felt and silk are employed. Conveniently, the box is provided with readily detachable. means, herein shown in the form of bars 101 secured to the box by bolts 103, for holding the box closed against the action of the inflated bags 69 and for permitting said box readily to be opened.

It will be observed that according to the present invention the rubbing members are pressed by the air or other fluid under pressure in the bags 69 against the stone substantially normally thereto at'all portions of its surface, thus enabling the stone to be uniformly abraded.

It will be understood that if desired the rubbing mat may be formed of blocks of carborundum molded or otherwise formed to the desired shape, in which case it will be necessary to feed only water to the. stone during the abrading operations in which the mat is employed.

It will also be understood that the invention is applicable to the polishing of substantially plain cylindrical bodies such as columns and of b'odiesother than surfaces-of revolution but having distinct. surfaces, as for example, straight mouldings which, as will be understood, have distinct surfaces running longitudinally thereof.

For such work, the abrading elements may be arranged in spaced, staggered relation with one element, or one set of elements, contacting with two surfaces of the moulding at their juncture,

the latter commonly in the form of a corner running lengthwise of themoulding, and, as will be obvious, either the moulding, or the'abrading elements with the bags and ab'utments as a unit, will bereciprocated lengthwise of the moulding to cause the abrading. Likewise, the invention is applicable for polishing a variety of other shapes having distinct surfaces, as will be obvious from the foregoing description and from the scope of the appended claims, and, accordingly, it will be understood that wide deviations may be made from the embodiments of the invention herein described without departing from the spirit of the invention.

said blocks, means for holding said box-like member'against rotation, a bag-like means in said box-like member adapted to contain fluid under pressure for forcing said blocks against said surface, said bag-like means and blocks positioned for exposing a portion of said surface, and said box-like member having provision for permitting water to be fed to said exposed portion of said surface.

2. Abrading apparatus for surfaces of revolution of bodies mounted for rotation about substantially horizontal axes comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered abrading blocks distributed partially around said surface from the under side thereof, means holding said blocks flexibly in assembled relation, a box-like &

member the walls of which are spaced radially of said surface from said blocks, means for holding said box-like member against rotation, a bag-like means in said box-like member adapted to contain fluid under pressure for forcing said blocks against said surface, said bag-like means and blocks positioned for exposing a portion of said surface, and said box-like member having provision for permitting water to be fed to said exposed portion of said surface.

3. Apparatus for abrading surfaces of revolution of stone bodies having, in combination, stationary abutment means adapted to extend a substantial distance around said surfaces in radially spaced relation thereto, a substantially flexible rubbing element having its opposite edges operatively secured to saidabutment means and adapted to extend partially around said surfaces, and bag-like means between said abutment means and rubbing element adapted to contain fluid under pressure for holding said rubbing element against said surfaces.

4. Apparatus for abrading surfaces of revolution of stone bodies having, in combination, Stationary abutment means adapted partially to surround said surfaces, said abutment means having an opening extending longitudinally of said surfaces, a flexible mat having opposite edges I secured to said abutment means at opposite sides of said opening, said mat being adapted to extend partially around surfaces in contact therewith, and bag-like members between said mat and abutment means adapted to contain fluid under pressure for holding said mat against said surfaces.

5, Apparatus forv abrading surfaces of revolution of stonebodies having, in combination, sta-' tionary abutment means adapted partially to surround said surfaces, said abutment means having an opening extending longitudinally of said surfaces, a flexible mat having opposite edges secured to said abutment means at opposite sides of said opening, said mat being adapted, to extend partially around said surfaces and comprising curved abrading blocks held together in spaced staggered relation, and bag-like members between said mat and abutment means adapted to contain fluid under pressure for holding said mat against said surfaces.

6. An abrading mat adapted to be wrapped about a surface of revolution comprising a plurality of spaced staggered blocks; and a plurality of fastening means for flexibly securing the opposed comers of adjacent blocks to each other and to the adjacent block opposite said corners.

7. Abrading apparatus for work having distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed transversely and longitudinally over said surfaces; said elements formed and arranged to"cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, at least one element to contact with both surfaces.

8. Abradingapparatus for work having distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed transversely and longitudinally over said surfaces; said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, at least one element to contact with both surfaces, another element to contact with but one of said surfaces, and a third element to contact with the other of said surfaces.

9. Abrading apparatus for work having distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed transversely and longitudinally over said surfaces; said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, at least one element to contact with both surfaces; abutment means spaced from said surfaces, and bag-like means adapted to contain a pressure fluid between said abutment means and elements.

10. Abrading apparatus for work having distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed transversely and longitudinally over said surfaces; said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, at least one element to contact with both surfaces, another element to contact with but one of said surfaces, and a third element to contact with the other of, said surfaces; abutment means spaced from said surfaces, and bag-like means adapted to contain a pressure fluid between said abutment meansand elements.

11. Abrading apparatus for work having distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed transversely and longitudinally over said surfaces; said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces,

flexible rubbing means so formed as to be adapted to be wrapped circumferentiallyabout and to contact with said surface over portions thereof of different diameters, means for holding said rubbing means against rotation, and means for yieldingly pressing said rubbing means against said surface substantially normally thereto.

13. Abrading apparatus for a surface of revolution having variable diameters comprising, in combination, means for mounting an article having said surface for rotation axially thereof, a flexible rubbing means so formed as to be adapted to be wrapped circumferentially about and to contact with said surface over portions thereof of different diameters, means for holding said rubbing means against rotation, and fluid pressure means for yieldingly pressing said rubbing means against said surface substantially normally thereto.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the flexible rubbing means comprises a mat formed of flexibly connected separate rigid elements having faces which individually contact with different diameter portions of the surface of revolution.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which 140 the flexible rubbing means comprises a mat .formed of flexibly connected separaterigid ele-' elements being flexibly connected together in spaced staggered relation.

17. Abrading apparatus for a surface of revolution having variable diameters comprising, in combination, means for rotatably mounting an article having said surface for rotation axially thereof, stationary abutment means partially surrounding said surface in spaced relation thereto, a flexible rubbing means fixedly secured to said abutment means, said rubbing means being so formed as to be adapted to be wrapped circumferentially about and to contact said su face, and bag-like means adapted to contain a pressure fluid positioned between said abutment means and said rubbing means for pressing the latter into contact-with said surface.

.18. Apparatus according to claim 17 in which the flexible rubbing means comprises a mat formed of rigid members having faces which individually are adapted to contact with different diameter portions of said surface, said members being flexibly connected in spaced staggered relation.

19. Abrading means for an urn or like article having in profile a plurality of distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed circumferentially and longitudinally over the surface of said um and formed with faces adapted to contact therewith; said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, at least one element to contact both surfaces.

20. Abrading means for an urn or like article having in profile a plurality of distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed circumferentially and longitudinally over the surface of said urn and formed with faces adapted to contact therewith; said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, one element to contact with both surfaces, another element to contact with but one of said surfaces, and a third element to contact with the other of said surfaces.

21. Abrading means for an urn or like article having in profile a plurality of distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed circumferentially and longitudinally over the surface of said urn and formed with faces adapted to contact therewith, said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, at least one element to contact both surfaces, and fluid pressure means for pressing .said elements against said surfaces substantially normal thereto.

22. Abrading means for an urn or like article having in profile a plurality of distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elementsdistributed circumferentially and longitudinally over the surface of said urn and formed with faces adapted to contact therewith} said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, one element to contact with both surfaces, another element to contact with but one of said surfaces, and a third element to contact with the other of said surfaces, and fluid pressure means for pressing said elements against said surfaces substantially normal thereto.

23. Abrading means for an urn or like article having in profile a plurality of distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed circumcomprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced staggered rubbing elements distributed circum ferentially and longitudinally over the surface of said urn and formed with faces adapted to contact therewith; said elements formed and arranged to cause, at the juncture of said, distinct surfaces, one element to contact with both surfaces, another element to contact with but'one of said surfaces, and a third element to contact with the other of said surfaces; abutment means spaced from the surface of said um, and bag- .like means adapted to contain fluid under pressure between said abutment means and said rubbing elements for forcing the latter against said surfacessubstantially normal thereto.

25. Abrading means for an urn or like article having in profile a plurality of distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of plate-.

like members distributed circumferentially and v longitudinally over the surface of said urn in contact therewith; said members being assembled in spaced staggered relation and being arranged and formed to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, one member to contact with both surfaces, another member to contact with but one of said surfaces, and a third member to contact with the other of said surfaces, a box-like abutment means partially surrounding said urn in spaced relation thereto, said abutment means having an inner portion formed to conform at least roughly to the surface of said urn, and bag-like means adapted to contain fluid under pressure positioned between said abutment means and said members for forcing the latter against the surfaces of said urn substantially'normal thereto.

26. Abrading means for an urn or like article having in profile a plurality of distinct surfaces comprising, in combination, a plurality of platelike members distributed circumferentially and longitudinally over the surface of said urn in contact therewith; said members being assembled in spaced staggered relation and being arranged and formed to cause, at the juncture of said distinct surfaces, one member to contact with both surfaces, another member to contact with but one of said-surfaces, and a third member to con-v tact with the other of said surfaces, a box-like abutment means partially surrounding said urn in spaced relation thereto, said abutment means having an inner portionformed to conform at least roughly to the surface of said urn, bag-like means adapted to contain fluid under pressure positioned between said abutment means and said members for forcing the latter against the surfaces of said urn substantially normal thereto, means for securing said bag-like means to said abutment means, and means for preventing rotation of the latter when said urn is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

' PETER S. LEGGE. 

